Spousal Abuse
Being in the middle of a divorce can be a stressful time for anyone. That stress is compounded when you are the victim of spousal abuse. You can divorce an abusive spouse. You do not need to continue to suffer.
Do you question if you have been subjected to abuse? Have you been subjected to physical, mental and/or verbal attacks? The key is to know the signs to look for and then doing something about it. So, is it time you got the help you need to get your life back on track and end the abuse?
Types Of Spousal Abuse And How They Affect Divorce
When you are the victim of spousal abuse, focus on the following:
- Evidence – Is nice to have, but your report of abuse, if credible is evidence. In addition, having other evidence to show to an attorney and authorities is helpful. This can be in the form of videos or tape recordings, eyewitnesses, emails or texts, and more. The more evidence you have against your spouse, the better chance you have to present a formidable case.
- Physical abuse – Have you been physically attacked by your spouse? If so, the earlier mentioned evidence is important. Such evidence can be in the form of bruises, scratches and even broken bones. If you sought medical care, your medical records of the visit are helpful to verify your report. For some people, they think physical abuse is the norm. This is because they were either raised in such an environment as a child and/or have been seeing it in their own relationships for some time now. Remember, there is never a valid excuse for domestic violence or physical abuse.
- Mental abuse – Such abuse can take a mental toll on you before long. When it does, it can have a negative impact on your self-esteem, which can negatively impact your professional life as well as your personal one. Abusers are trying to break another person down over time. Such abuse for example is your spouse telling you that you are not good enough. They may also say you are a bad parent if you have children together. Or, they made you everything positive that you are. Like with physical abuse, do your best to document mental abuse. Doing so allows you to present it to your attorney and authorities when the time comes.
- Verbal attacks – Finally, verbal attacks can be damaging for a variety of reasons. If you have young children at home, they may bear witness to verbal attacks from your spouse. Over time, there can be a negative impact on the children. From hating one or both parents to an impact on their school work, withdrawing from friends and more, the consequences can be dire. For you, you may think such verbal attacks are the norm. Remember, they are not. Make sure you can document instances of verbal abuse that can be held against your spouse.
Speak With Your Family Law Attorney On How To Proceed
With the right family law attorney fighting for you, you can stand up for your rights. Find out how we can help you by calling 206-536-2875 or sending us a message online.